One of my favorite places on earth is Moonstone Beach in South Kingstown, RI. When I was growing up, it was the town beach for our town, and our family spent much time there swimming and gathering with other families to cook dinner on the beach as the sun began to set. Of course, this practice is no longer allowed at any beach that I know of!
As I rode my bike down the gravel road recently, I had to stop for a moment and catch my breath. The sun was sparkling off the inland ponds, the bright pink of the rosa rugosa was brilliant against the varying shades of green foliage. Looking up into the truly cerulean sky, I noticed a flock of birds wheeling across my view and could hear the nearby pounding of the waves. I told myself to take a mental video to play later in my mind’s eye. I was overwhelmed by the beauty of this place, a place I have been experiencing for over 50 years; a place of natural beauty that appears, in some ways, unchanged in all that time.
Yes, of course, we know that our ocean shores are being impacted by climate change and this is a serious topic to be explored. Today, however, I am focused on the beauty of this special place and the power of the ocean.
Why do I feel so good when I am near the sea? It has been proven that sea water has many curative properties including the breathing in of sea air to help with respiratory issues and bathing in sea water to help with certain skin conditions. I have often believed that my general mood is improved by proximity and exposure to the ocean and there are studies out there confirming this. This mood enhancement can be linked to the soothing sounds of the waves, sights and smells of the ocean, breathing in oxygenated air at the sea and receiving higher levels of vitamin D. I believe that some people, at their core, are drawn to the ocean and being near it improves their mental well being.
In a prior blog (8/20/23), I talked about the pull of the sea and shared that I had recently learned the name for those of us who feel this powerful pull of the ocean, it is called being a thalassophile. Those who are not self proclaimed thalassophiles may find that same pull and health benefits at the mountains or freshwater lakes, although I have not spent much time reading about that. What I do believe is that when someone is in their “happy place”, their overall health improves. For me that is near the ocean. There is much more out there on this topic, and below I share some links about these topics.
Our Practice – Crab Pose (Reverse Table Pose) - Ardha Purvottanasana
This backbend strengthens the arms and can help improve posture. It is a chest (heart) opener, strengthens the back, core, shoulders and hamstrings. Also helps strengthen the arms, wrists, legs and back. It can help boost energy and sense of humor if you try scuttling around like a crab once you are in it!
Sit on the buttocks with the knees bent, feet hip distance wide and flat on the floor.
Place the hands on the floor behind you, shoulder distance wide and fingers pointing in.
Inhale and lift the hips, bringing the torso parallel to the floor. The feet should be under the knees and hands under the shoulders.
Breathe while holding the pose.
Meditating on the Healing Power of the Sea
I have shared with my students that I love Anne Morrow Lindbergh's 1955 book called Gift From The Sea. In the book, which was the bestselling nonfiction title that year, she uses the sea, and in particular individual shells, as organizing metaphors for each chapter. If you have not read it, especially if you are captivated by the power of the ocean, you must! For more on Anne Morrow Lindbergh and the book see the following article.
“The sea does not reward those who are too anxious, too greedy, or too impatient. To dig for treasures shows not only impatience and greed, but lack of faith. Patience, patience, patience, is what the sea teaches. Patience and faith. One should lie empty, open, choiceless as a beach—waiting for a gift from the sea.” ― Anne Morrow Lindbergh, Gift from the Sea
Nurturing with Food – Zucchini Cucumber Gazpacho
In these last days of summer, and still with an abundance of zucchini around, enjoy this cold soup which can be made with those large ones that you find hidden in the garden. The recipe calls for slicing the zucchini, but the large ones can be shredded in the food processor and then used. I am not usually a fan of cold soup, but I really enjoy this, and have taken it to the beach chilled in a cooler.
Enjoy!
See you on the mat,
Namaste,
Julia Anne
Comments